Struggling with clipless pedals rant

[J1888]

Keep going mjr.
My story
Ive been riding 50 years riding now, i rode flats for decades then clips and straps and then clippies.
After my Achilles snapped 4 years ago i started back on on flats because i didn't want any twisting in my ankle when releasing them and also didn't fancy any more injuries with a clippy moment.
I noticed that once my fitness returned i could ride at just the same pace as before on flats.
It was like the scales were removed from my eyes, a kings new clothing moment.
I am not a racer just a fairly good club standard rider who regularly does 50 mile rides at 13-18 mph depending on conditions. i don't need to put the power down for sprints and for me having my feet stuck to the pedals makes no difference to my efforts.
I do however appreciate not having to waddle around like a penguin or carry spare shoes.

A noble tale but you ain't gonna chane mjr's mind!

 

[tommaguzzi]

Wasn't trying to I'm in agreement with him

Maybe i should edit the last post to make it clearer

 

[screenman]

What is the waddle bit? not with my shoes and cleats. I would suggest though if the OP grows to not like clipless then he should stop using them before it spoils his enjoyment of cycling.

 

[Drago]

Been updating the Saracen. Had the frame powder coated, and today finally finished reassembling, including meticulously serviced M-520's. They felt so good it was almost sexual.

Going off topic forma moment, If I may be forgiven for doing so, its a beautifully smooth and well applied powder coat job, so I'm very happy.

 

[J1888]

Wasn't trying to I'm in agreement with him

Maybe i should edit the last post to make it clearer

Apols, i prob didn't read properly

 

[tommaguzzi]

The waddle bit is trying to walk normally wearing Look or similar cleats on smooth floors.
There is a new thread about this.
A different clippy moment.
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/different-kind-of-clipless-moment.217665/

 

[youngoldbloke]

If you had to use your hand to undo the strap, it was set up wrong, roughly equivalent to having the clipless release tension too tight or position somehow wrong. Probably straps too tight or possibly misplaced or possibly something else entirely. Here's an instruction manual and Trek's guide is even firmer: "Always adjust the toe strap lengths with the buckles (Figure 1) to allow quick removal of your feet from the pedals. ... When you stop the bicycle, your shoes must easily disengage from the pedals"

I see the instruction manual also states:
"NOTE: For street riding, the straps should not be as tight if they were if you were sprinting in the velodrome
or in a road race."
- So they do seem to accept that straps may be used more tightly than they previously advised. I also used nailed on shoe-plates with clips and straps, which held your feet on the pedals even more firmly (and made you walk in a somewhat ducklike fashion). Some straps were also advertised as having Quick Release buckles, which required just a quick flick to release them - my point being that there was/is no one correct way to use clips and straps, it depends what sort of cycling you are doing. For an interesting history of these things take a look at the Speedplay Pedal Museum.

 

[Smokin Joe]

If you had to use your hand to undo the strap, it was set up wrong, roughly equivalent to having the clipless release tension too tight or position somehow wrong.

Or he could have had what most club riders and all racers used back in the day. Attached to the sole of the shoe was a metal plate with a slot which engaged with the rear plate of the pedal. On setting off you pulled the strap tight which locked your foot onto the pedal, before coming to a halt you would reach down and flick the quick release on the strap open so you could remove your foot. That system was in use for about 100 years and I can never recall an incident where someone toppled over because they didn't undo it in time, it became second nature. Which is why those of us who switched to clipless found it a doddle to get used to.

EDIT: As said in the above post by youngoldbloke

Now use clipless or don't, it's up to you. But let's not have any twaddle about them being dangerous as said by people who can't manage them. "Clipless moments" are caused mainly by people not understanding how the pedals work and they try and pull their foot up out of the pedal at the same time as flicking it sideways, hence the mechanism prevents the shoe disengaging because this is what it is designed to do. Just a sideways twist and the shoe releases without a problem, no matter how high you have the tension set (Another myth BTW, that low tension makes it easier to release. It doesn't anymore than high tension makes it more difficult).

Like I said, use them or not as you prefer, but apart from the waddle like a duck when you walk there are no disadvantages and plenty of benefits.

 

[screenman]

The waddle bit is trying to walk normally wearing Look or similar cleats on smooth floors.
There is a new thread about this.
A different clippy moment.
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/different-kind-of-clipless-moment.217665/

Then obviously if you wanted to walk you would choose a different pedal cleat set up. I have used a lot of different setups, but if walking was going to be involved then SPD all the way.

 

[tommaguzzi]

Yes ive wanted to walk
You know like
Into café s.
Going for toilet break.
Buying an ice cream
Walk into a petrol station shop for emergency calories when I've bonked
These places have smooth floors.
I went out riding in clippies but normally found my self walking at someo point.

 

[screenman]

Yes ive wanted to walk
You know like
Into café s.
Going for toilet break.
Buying an ice cream
Walk into a petrol station shop for emergency calories when I've bonked
These places have smooth floors.
I went out riding in clippies but normally found my self walking at someo point.

I can see where the wrong system could be a problem there.

 

[tommaguzzi]

The wrong system is correct. As i said earlier being attached to the pedals makes no difference to my efforts so the correct system for me is normal shoes and flat pedals.

 

[mjr]

Like I said, use them or not as you prefer, but apart from the waddle like a duck when you walk there are no disadvantages and plenty of benefits.

So the limited footwear choice, extra expense and need for special unclip motion are benefits to you? Sorry but

In general, excluding special cases, there are few benefits. But if you like them then enjoy.

 

[swansonj]

Why all the fuss? Let's just do what works best for each of us.

First order response: yes, of course, we're all far too inclined to tell other people what they should be doing, just let people enjoy themselves in whatever way works for them.

Second order response: no, because the choices we make impact on other people. We all want more people to cycle (for their own health and wellbeing; for the reduced NHS bills and therefore taxes; for reduced motor traffic and reduced pollution and global warming; for safer roads for us; for a generally more civilised society). The image of cycling as a niche activity, as a sport, requiring specialist equipment (Lycra, helmets, and dedicated shoes that people don't understand the purpose of but are obviously expensive and uncomfortable) all run counter to this. Every cyclist who turns up to the coffee stop sweaty, in Lycra, hobbling across the cafe in clicky shoes, safety helmet in tow, is enjoying themselves in their chosen way, and good luck to them - but is also reinforcing the message that cycling is not for the ordinary person to pootle a couple of miles to the shops or work in whatever they happen to be wearing.

 

[Smokin Joe]

So the limited footwear choice, extra expense and need for special unclip motion are benefits to you? Sorry but

In general, excluding special cases, there are few benefits. But if you like them then enjoy.

"Special motion"?

You flick your foot sideways instead of lifting it. Try it, it's easy.